NYU to pair students with senior citizens for housing

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Students living in NYU housing shell out about $14,000 a year for their living arrangements.  In response to soaring housing costs - NYU is rolling out a pilot program that would let students live in spare bedrooms in the homes of local senior citizens.

Ellen Schall an advisor for NYU's president - says there's a similar program at several schools in Chicago that started more than 30 years ago. She believes here in New York - it would be a win-win for students and their elderly roommates.

Ellen Schall, NYU Senior Presidential Fellow says, "For the students, it could reduce the price of student housing by 50 percent.  And that's a big advantage to the student. for the local person it's both something to help make ends me and perhaps company."

The school is reaching out to different apartment buildings now in their search for spare bedrooms in the homes of willing New Yorkers. 

The pilot program set to begin in the fall of 2017 aims to have at least a dozen students participating - a mix of juniors, seniors and grad students. If they get positive feedback - the school hopes to further expand the program the following semester.